Dual mode roll fuser

Abstract

A contact fuser assembly for use in an electrostatic reproducing apparatus wherein toner images are formed on various types of substrates, for example, plain paper and transparency materials such as cellulose acetate or polyester film. The fuser assembly is characterized by a provision of a plurality of fuser rolls forming a pair of nips through which the substrates pass in order to fuse the toner images thereto. Transport mechanism is provided for conveying the substrates to one or the other of the nips depending upon the particular material of the substrate. The surface of the roll provided for contacting the plain paper comprises a hard metal surface and the roll for contacting the toner images carried by the cellulose acetate, etc. comprises an elastomeric surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Dual mode fuser apparatus for fixing toner images to various types of substrates, said apparatus comprising: fuser structure comprising first and second fuser members;   transport structure for conveying said substrates such that the toner images carried thereby contact one of said members during a first mode of operation; and   means for effecting reorientation of one of said structures to move said substrates such that the toner images carried thereby contact the other of said fuser members during a second mode of operation.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second fuser members form a first nip therebetween and wherein a third member forms a second nip with said second fuser member and said reorientation effecting means comprises means for moving said transport structure such that it cooperates with one or the other of said nips depending on the mode of operation of said fuser apparatus.   
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said fuser members comprise roll structures. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first and third members comprise metal surfaces and said second member comprises an elastomeric surface. 
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first and third members comprise elastomeric surfaces and said second member comprises a metal surface. 
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to claim 4, including means for applying release agent material to said first and second members. 
     
     
       7. Dual mode fuser apparatus for fixing toner images to substrates, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of fuser members forming a plurality of nips through which said substrates pass with said toner images contacting the surface of at least two of said fuser members, said two surfaces being fabricated from different materials; and   transport means for conveying said substrates to one of said nips during a first mode of operation and to another of said nips during a second mode of operation, said transport means comprising a belt structure shiftable to different positions for conveying said substrates to said nips.   
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the surface of one of said fuser members comprises metal and the surface of the other fuser member comprises an elastomeric material. 
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to claim 7, including means for applying release agent material to said fuser members.